Almost entirely OT: Brief NU mention in great article about media

[NUCat320]

This is a really important issue, and perhaps a lost cause. Close to the hearts of Medilldos (very few who are probably working journalists) and hopefully citizens.

The hope that all people could again start from some shared truth is probably lost forever, but trying to build some objectivity via public investment seems a good thing. The comparative numbers at the bottom of the article are staggering.

We Need A New Deal To Save Local Journalism | Defector

During the first week of the fires, I would go up to my building’s roof once a day. I’d look at the Los Angeles skyline at whatever shade of yellow-orange-brown muck the fires had delivered that day and take a photo, and then I’d scurry back inside. Against my better judgment, one time I took […]

defector.com

 

[techtim72]

Ms Moskovitz' appeal would be more impactful if it was less loaded with political asides - but I guess, don't know, that she is writing for her customer base. Reflective of how journalists need to pay the bills even when making pleas. Anyway, public funding of news of any sort is dead for the near term. NPR has completely worn out its welcome with a large swath of the public and I will be shocked if there isn't some attempt at cutting whatever Federal funding they receive in Trump's first days in office. Voice of America I believe is also under political pressure.

For what it's worth, I think local journalism is very, very important, far beyond covering emergencies. I don't know the magic formula, however, and neither does the industry apparently. The forces against the industry must be enormous when, for example. the paper I followed for most my adult life - WaPo - has declined so dramatically. That isn't a statement on its politics - although I believe their choices have been terrible - but more on its economics.

Thinking on it a bit, local news is most important IMO in speaking truth to power on a local basis. Certainly other aspects are also important but if local journalists don't cover local issues - governance, business, crime, etc - who will? That means it is inherently political and asking for it to be funded by taxes is a bridge too far and probably in some manner contrary to the Constitution. I don't know but going down the path of advocating for governmental support is likely a dead end unless the mission is limited to something comparable to an extension of "The Weather Channel".

 

[NUCat320]

@techtim72 the degree to which our newspapers were funded by display ads and, especially, g-d classifieds, is just shocking. The entire business model was rendered moot by Craigslist!

As you noticed, the publication itself is pretty lefty — thanks for reading past that.

The model would have to be a public utility model, right? No government accountability Blue Ribbon Committee has ever done a thing. The journalists would serve this role, one that’s not really happening nearly as much anymore.